- Kline calls the film industry a circus -- to succeed as an actor, he says, someone needs to play along with the circus part, but that opens the way to exploring the art form of acting, citing, "It's nice to be able to get the big paycheck, so I can afford to do the theater, where you make no money at all. It's a juggling act. That's the American way; we all do a little whoring in order to be faithful to our muse. (November 29, 2002)
- He toured the country with the company, performing Shakespeare and winning particular acclaim for his portrayals of Romeo and Hamlet in 1972.
- Narration he recorded in THE NUTCRACKER (1993) was a last-minute addition that was heavily protested by Macaulay Culkin's father, Kit Culkin, who vowed that his son would do no publicity for the movie until the narration was dropped. Reluctantly, producer Arnon Milchan dropped the narration to appease the Culkins. Kit Culkin then returned with a list of other demands which so incensed Milchan that he reinstated Kline's narration, losing the use of the Culkins' publicity.
- Originally set to play Peter Pan in HOOK (1991), but had to drop out of the film because of SOAPDISH (1991) which was having major reshoots, rewrites and taking much longer than expected to complete shooting.
- The Oscar statuette used in IN & OUT (1997) is his.
- Diane Venora, who plays Queen Gertrude in HAMLET (2000), played Ophelia in a made-for-television version of HAMLET (1990/II) (TV) starring and directed by Kevin Kline.
- WILD WILD WEST (1999) is the second time he plays a character whom impersonates the president. (The first was DAVE (1993)).
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for LIFE AS A HOUSE (2002)
- Nominated for Best Kiss at MTV Movie Awards for IN & OUT (1998) - shared with Tom Selleck
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for IN & OUT (1998)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for DAVE (1994)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for SOAPDISH (1992)
- Nominated for Best Actor at BAFTA Awards for A FISH CALLED WANDA (1989)
- Nominated for Best Newcomer at BAFTA Awards for SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1984)
- Nominated for New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Male at Golden Globe Awards for SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1983)
Quotes- "I think every American actor wants to be a movie star. But I never wanted to do stupid movies, I wanted to do films. I vowed I would never do a commercial, nor would I do a soap opera -- both of which I did as soon as I left the [Acting] Company and was starving."
- I love the sound of a woman in the throes of rapture - but not screamers.
- "It's the struggle were all involved in, trying to find the meaning of our life and trying to express ourselves. Grapple with our destiny."
- "It is the greatest gift to teach your student that he is potentially an artist, that he's not just a robot."
- "What it all comes down to is how well you cope with failure. I don't like failing too often. It's so public, you know."
Awards- Razzie Awards: Worst Screen Couple, WILD WILD WEST (2000) - shared with Will Smith
- St. Louis International Film Festival: Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
- Hasty Pudding Theatricals: Man of the Year (1998)
- Gotham Awards: Actor Award (1997)
- Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor, A FISH CALLED WANDA (1989)
- Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his role in the 1978 Broadway production of On the Twentieth Century.
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